The University of Kentucky gymnastics squad kicks off the 2006 campaign this Friday in Lansing, Mich. as the Cats take on Michigan State. Third-year head coach Mo Muhammad returns 12 student-athletes to a team that posted 14 wins and reached a top na

This Weekend?s Meet The No. 23 Wildcats travel to Lansing, Mich. to take on Michigan State, Fri., Jan. 6, at 8 p.m. ET. The meet will serve as the Cats? season-opener.

Ranking The Cats open the 2006 campaign ranked No. 23 according to a GymInfo Preseason Coaches? Poll. All seven schools in the Southeastern Conference that sponsor gymnastics are ranked in the top 25, including four in the top 10.

Last Season vs. Michigan State Lexington (3/4/05) -- A then-No. 16-ranked UK squad posted its third highest score in school history (196.025) en route to defeating No. 21 Michigan State (193.975). Former Cat Michelle Gales ended her career in Memorial Coliseum on a high note, finishing first and tying her career-high with a 9.95 on floor.

Scouting MSU Michigan State will open the season with the Wildcats after finishing the 2005 campaign with a 17-11 record. The Spartans are receiving votes in the GymInfo Preseason Coaches? Poll. Third-year captain Sarah Alexander, junior all-arounder Kristen Coleman and NCAA Regional qualifier Chayla Hill lead the way for MSU. Last season was the first time since 2001 the Spartans failed to qualify for regional competition as a team.

Newcomers This year?s Wildcat squad welcomes the addition of five student-athletes -- all hailing from different states. Ashley Armour (Athens, Ga.), Jordan Cullum (Findlay, Ohio), Heather Hite (Pakersburg, W. Va.), Stephanie Kunz (Collierville, Tenn.) and Natalie Rubinstein (Hollywood, Fla.) all have the potential to contribute to this year's squad. Also joining the UK family is former Olympic Gymnastics Force coach and independent consultant, Jackie McCarter, who begins her first season as an assistant coach. McCarter brings more than 20 years of experience to her new post.

Cats Host ?Excite Nite? Next Weekend Billed as "a party so big, it will last the whole season", the University of Kentucky gymnastics team will host its 23rd annual 'Excite Nite', Saturday, January 14th, at 6 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. The meet itself will serve as the home opener for the Cats as they host Illinois State and Southeast Missouri. Olympic gold medalists Dominique Moceanu and Svetlana Boguinskaia will be in attendance. Also present will be UK great and 13-time All-American Jenny Hansen. Tickets for the event are $5 for adults with $2 tickets available for youth and seniors. Children up to the age of five get in free. Fans can also purchase UK gymnastics season tickets for just $10 online at ukathletics.com, in person at the athletics ticket office in Memorial Coliseum or by phone at 859-257-1818 or 1-800-928-CATS.